Sport clothing with cups

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a sport clothing product with cups excellent in a shaping (bust uplifting) function, in which the stability of bust does not deteriorate even upon vigorous arm movements. A cup suspending cord ( 5 R) of a right cup portion ( 2 R) extends in the upper left direction, and a cup suspending cord ( 5 L) of a left cup portion ( 2 L) extends in the upper right direction, so that they are attached to a neck hole hem part ( 16 ), whereas respective extensions of the cup suspending cords ( 5 L,  5 R) intersect each other above the neck hole hem part ( 16 ). Movements of cup portions caused by vigorous arm movements accompanying exercises are greatly alleviated, whereby actions of cup suspending members at the time of raising arms function so as to lift up the cup portions in so-called “centering” directions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP01/06118, filed Jul.16, 2001, and claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2000-252935, filed Aug. 23, 2000, both of which are incorporated byreference herein. The International Application was published inJapanese on Feb. 28, 2002 as International Publication No. WO 02/15728A1 under PCT Article 21(2).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to women's sport clothing, for example,sport clothing with cups such as swimsuits, leotards, and sportunderwear.

BACKGROUND ART

Sport clothing products such as women's swimsuits include those known assport clothing with cups in which a pair of right and left cup portionsare disposed in the body portion thereof. The right (left) cup portionis attached to the body portion by a right (left) side cloth and a right(left) cup suspending cord. One of end parts of the right (left) cupsuspending cord is sewn to an upper edge part of the right (left) cupportion. The other end part of the right (left) cup suspending cord issewn to the hem part of a right (left) armhole (a hole for passing anarm therethrough) in the body portion (type 1) or sewn to the hem partof a neck hole (a hole for passing a head therethrough) in the bodyportion (type 2). Type 1 is disclosed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. HEI 2-264002, for example. Type 2 is disclosed in JapaneseUtility Model Application Laid-Open No. SHO 60-67313, Japanese UtilityModel Application Laid-Open No. HEI 1-177213, and Japanese Utility ModelPublication No. 3042769, for example. Known as a modification of type 2is a swimsuit in which the other end part of the right (left) cupsuspending cord is connected to the neck hole hem part by a hook. Inthis type, the other end part of the right (left) cup suspending cordcan be attached to and removed from the hem part of the neck hole.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

However, the conventional sport clothing products with cups such asthose mentioned above have been problematic in that, depending onmovements of the wearer's arms, the holding of bust becomes unstable andthe shaping of bust is hard to keep. These will be explained in detailin the following.

In general, sport clothing products with cups are formed from a materialhaving excellent contraction and expansion properties, whereby they comeinto close contact with a human body. There are cases where a weareralternately moves the right and left arms upward in large strokes, forexample, such as crawling in swimming. Here, as a shoulder is lifted upfrom the base part of the arm, the shoulder part of the body portion ofclothing greatly expands upward. As a consequence, the arm hole hem partis pulled so as to expand upward along with the movement of the shoulderpart. Also, along with the movement of the shoulder part, the neck holehem part in a portion near the shoulder is pulled so as to expandupward.

Therefore, in the case of the above-mentioned type 1, the right (left)cup suspending cord is strongly pulled up since a strong upward pullingforce acts on the right (left) armhole. This causes a problem that theholding of bust becomes unstable, and a problem that the shaping of bustis hard to keep.

In the case of the above-mentioned type 2, on the other hand, the right(left) cup suspending cord is lifted up since an upward pulling forceacts on the right (left) side portion of the neck hole. Though thispulling force is weaker than the pulling force in type 1, it causes theabove-mentioned two problems as in type 1. In the case of swimsuits inparticular, a material having a relatively strong elasticity is used inthe neck hole hem part in order to prevent water from entering from theneck hole. Consequently, while the movement (stroke) in the neck holehem part is smaller than that in the arm hole hem part, the force(power) for lifting up the cup suspending cord is stronger. Therefore,the holding of bust tends to become unstable, and the bust shapingfunction is likely to be lost.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sport clothingproduct with cups in which, even upon vigorous arm movements, theholding of bust is stable, whereas its bust shaping function (bustuplifting function) is excellent.

The sport clothing product with cups in accordance with the presentinvention comprises a body portion having a defining portion fordefining a first armhole, a defining portion for defining a secondarmhole, and a defining portion for defining a neck hole; first andsecond cup portions disposed in the body portion; a first cup suspendingmember having a pair of end parts; and a second cup suspending memberhaving a pair of end parts; wherein one end part of the second cupsuspending member is attached to the second cup portion; wherein theother end part of the second cup suspending member is attached to thebody portion such that the second cup is pulled toward the first cupwhen a pulling force acts on a part of the neck hole defining portionlocated on the first armhole side and/or the first armhole definingportion; wherein one end part of the first cup suspending member isattached to the first cup portion; and wherein the other end part of thefirst cup suspending member is attached to the body portion such thatthe first cup is pulled toward the second cup when a pulling force actson a part of the neck hole defining portion located on the secondarmhole side and/or the second armhole defining portion.

In the present invention, the other end part of the second cupsuspending member is attached to the body portion such that the secondcup is pulled toward the first cup when a pulling force acts on a partof the neck hole defining portion located on the first armhole sideand/or the first armhole defining portion. On the other hand, the otherend part of the first cup suspending member is attached to the bodyportion such that the first cup is pulled toward the second cup when apulling force acts on a part of the neck hole defining portion locatedon the second armhole side and/or the second armhole defining portion.

Therefore, the second cup portion is lifted up by the second cupsuspending member when one arm is raised, whereas the first cup portionis lifted up by the first cup suspending member when the other arm israised. As a consequence, the movements of the first and second cupportions caused by vigorous arm movements are greatly alleviated.

Directions in which the cup portions are lifted up by the cup suspendingmembers when the arms are raised are such that the first cup portion islifted up in the upward direction of the second cup portion, whereas thesecond cup portion is lifted up in the upward direction of the first cupportion. Hence, they are lifted up in so-called “centering” directions,whereby a shaping function of beautifully centering/uplifting the bustat the time of exercising can be exhibited. In the present invention,the “first” and “second” are defined such that one of them is on theright side when the other is on the left side, and vice versa, forexample.

Also, the sport clothing product with cups in accordance with thepresent invention comprises a clothing portion having a front bodyportion adapted to come into close contact with a human body; first andsecond cup portions disposed on the human body side of the front bodyportion; a first cup suspending member having a pair of end parts; and asecond cup suspending member having a pair of end parts; wherein one endpart of the first cup suspending member is attached to the first cupportion; wherein one end part of the second cup suspending member isattached to the second cup portion; and wherein the other end part ofthe first cup suspending member and the other end part of the second cupsuspending member are attached to the front body portion of the clothingportion such that the first cup suspending member and the second cupsuspending member intersect each other or respective extensions of thefirst and second cup suspending members intersect each other.

In the present invention, the first and second cup suspending membersare attached to the front body portion of the clothing portion such thatthey intersect each other or their extensions intersect each other.Therefore, as in the foregoing, even upon vigorous arm movements, theholding of bust is stable, and an excellent bust shaping function (bustuplifting function) can be exhibited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a sport clothing product with cups, showingan outline of a first embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a front view of a sport clothing product with cups, showingan outline of a second embodiment;

FIG. 1C is a front view of a sport clothing product with cups, showingan outline of a third embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a swimsuit in accordance with a first type ofthe first embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a worn state of the swimsuit shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is a rear view of the swimsuit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a swimsuit in a worn state, showing asecond type of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a third type of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a fourth type of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a fifth type of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a sixth type of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a seventh type of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing an eighth type of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the front face of a swimsuit, showing a ninthtype of the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a first type of thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a swimsuit in a worn state, showing asecond type of the second embodiment;

FIG. 13B is a rear view of the swimsuit shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a swimsuit in a worn state, showing athird type of the second embodiment;

FIG. 14B is a rear view of the swimsuit shown in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a first type of the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a second type of thethird embodiment;

FIG. 17A is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a modified example ofthe swimsuit with cups in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17B is a view showing a hook shown in FIG. 17A;

FIG. 18 is a front view showing another modified example of the swimsuitwith cups in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a front view showing another modified example of the swimsuitwith cups in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a front view showing another modified example of the swimsuitwith cups in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is a front view showing another modified example of the swimsuitwith cups in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, swimsuits in accordance with first to thirdembodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference tothe drawings. Among the drawings, constituents identical to each otherare referred to with numerals identical to each other. The constituentsreferred to with numerals include those distinguished from each other interms of left and right, such as left and right cup portions. Theserefer to the left and right as seen from the wearer. Therefore, in aview showing the wearer or swimsuits as seen from the front side, theright and left sides in the drawing become the left and right sides forthe wearer, respectively.

OUTLINES OF FIRST TO THIRD EMBODIMENTS

To begin with, outlines of the individual embodiments will be explainedwith reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C show theoutlines of the first, second, and third embodiments, respectively.These drawings show swimsuits as seen from the front side.

The part indicated by the solid line shows a front body portion 11 of aclothing portion (body) 1. Formed in the right part of the clothingportion (body) 1 is a right arm hole hem part 14R, which is an exampleof a defining portion for defining a right armhole. Formed in the leftpart of the clothing portion (body) 1 is a left arm hole hem part 14L,which is an example of a defining portion for defining a left armhole.Formed in the upper part of the clothing portion 1 is a neck hole hempart 16, which is an example of a defining portion for defining a neckhole. The neck hole hem part 16 is constituted by a part 16R of the neckhole defining portion located on the right armhole side, and a part 16Lof the neck hole defining portion located on the left armhole side.

The part indicated by dotted lines indicates a left cup portion 2L, aright cup portion 2R, a left cup suspending cord 5L, a right cupsuspending cord 5R, a front center connecting portion 3, a right sidecloth portion 4R, and a left side cloth portion 4L. The cup suspendingcord is an example of cup suspending member. Numeral 8 indicates thefront center line. The front center line 8 is a presumed (virtual) line,and does not exist in reality.

One end part of the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) is attachedto the upper part of the right (left) cup portion 2R (2L). The other endpart of the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) is attached to theneck hole hem part 16. These portions are referred to as an attachmentportion 7R (7L).

The attaching position of the other end part of the right (left) cupsuspending cord 5R (5L) varies among the first, second, and thirdembodiments. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the other endpart of the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) is positioned onthe right (left) side of the front center line 8 in the vicinity of thefront center line 8. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, theother end part of the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) ispositioned on the front center line 8. In the third embodiment shown inFIG. 1C, the other end part of the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R(5L) is positioned on the left (right) side of the front center line 8.

The differences among the first, second, and third embodiments can alsobe expressed as follows. Namely, they are different from each other inthe height of the neck hole hem part 16 and the attaching position ofthe right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L). In the case of FIG. 1A,the position of the neck hole hem part 16 is lower, whereby the rightand left cup suspending cords 5R and 5L are attached to the neck holehem part 16 before they intersect each other. In the case of FIG. 1B,the position of the neck hole hem part 16 is medium, whereby the rightand left cup suspending cords 5R and 5L are attached to the neck holehem part 16 at a position where they intersect each other. In the caseof FIG. 1C, the position of the neck hole hem part 16 is higher, wherebythe right and left cup suspending cords 5R and 5L are attached to theneck hole hem part 16 at a position higher than the position where theyintersect each other.

Effects common in the first to third embodiments will be explained. Inthe first to third embodiments, the other end part of the right cupsuspending cord 5R is attached to the neck hole hem part 16 such thatthe right cup portion 2R is pulled leftward when a pulling force acts onthe left armhole hem part 14L and/or the part 16L of the neck hole hempart 16 located on the left armhole side. On the other hand, the otherend part of the left cup suspending cord 5L is attached to the neck holehem part 16 such that the left cup portion 2L is pulled rightward when apulling force acts on the right armhole hem part 14R and/or the part 16Rof the neck hole hem part 16 located on the right armhole side.

Therefore, the left cup portion 2L is lifted up by the left cupsuspending cord 5L when the wearer raises the right arm, whereas theright cup portion 2R is lifted up by the right cup suspending cord 5Rwhen the wearer raises the left arm. Thus, unlike conventional examplesin which the right and left cup portions 2R and 2L are lifted up whenthe right and left arms are raised, respectively, movements of cupportions caused by vigorous arm movements are greatly alleviated,whereby stability improves.

The lifting directions of cup portions effected by the cup suspendingcords when the wearer raises arms are such that the right cup portion 2Ris lifted in the upper left direction when the left arm is raised, andthe left cup portion 2L is lifted in the upper right direction when theright arm is raised. Thus, unlike conventional examples in which theright and left cup portions 2R and 2L are lifted in the upward directionwhen the right and left arms are raised, respectively, they are liftedup in so-called “centering” directions. Therefore, an excellent shapingfunction of beautifully centering/uplifting the bust even at the time ofexercising can be exhibited.

The effects of this embodiment can also be explained as follows. Theother end part of the right cup suspending cord 5R and the other endpart of the left cup suspending cord 5L are attached to the neck holehem part 16 such that the cup suspending cords intersect each other (seeFIGS. 1B and 1C) or their respective extensions intersect each other inthe vicinity of the front neck point (see FIG. 1A). Therefore, as in theforegoing, the stability in the holding of bust and the excellent bustshaping function are obtained.

First Embodiment

The swimsuit in accordance with the first embodiment will now beexplained in detail. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, theother end part of the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) isattached to the neck hole hem part 16 at the attachment portion 7R (7L).The attachment portion 7R (7L) is positioned on the right (left) side ofthe front center line 8 in the vicinity of the front center line 8. Inother words, the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) extends in theupper left (right) direction, whereas their end parts are attached tothe neck hole hem part 16 at a position in front of the position wherethe cup suspending cords intersect each other.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 11, the first embodiment includes varioustypes. To begin with, a first type of the first embodiment will beexplained with reference to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B. FIG. 2 is a front viewof a swimsuit, omitting joint lines; FIG. 3A is a perspective view ofthe swimsuit in a worn state; and FIG. 3B is a rear view of theswimsuit. A clothing portion 1 covering a human body (mainly a torso) isconstituted by a front body portion 11 covering the front side of thehuman body, and a back section 12 covering the back side of the humanbody. The front body portion 11 and the back section 12 are sewntogether by joint lines at positions such as side portions. The frontbody portion 11 and the back section 12 come into close contact with thehuman body when worn. As materials for the front body portion 11 andback section 12, those excellent in contraction and expansion propertiesand resistance to water, for example, such as polyurethane, polyester,nylon, and acrylics are used.

The right (left) armhole of the clothing portion 1 is a hole for passingan arm therethrough, whereas a tape having contraction and expansionproperties and elasticity is attached to a right (left) armhole hem part14R (14L) which is a hem part of the armhole. The neck hole of theclothing portion 1 is a hole for passing a head therethrough, whereas atape having contraction and expansion properties and elasticity is alsoattached to a neck hole hem part 16 which is a hem part of the neckhole. Examples of the tapes attached to these hem parts includepolyurethane type flat tapes and latex type flat tapes, whereas braidedelastics, knit elastics, woven elastics, and various kinds of stretchtapes can also be used.

In the case of swimsuits, it is desirable that the neck hole hem part 16be stronger than the right (left) armhole hem part 14R (14L). Therefore,when a well-expanding latex type flat tape is used for the right (left)armhole hem part 14R (14L), a strong polyurethane type flat tape can beused for the neck hole hem part 14R (14L). However, the expansion andcontraction properties and the degree of elasticity vary depending onthe width, thickness, and weaving methods even among tapes made of thesame material. Hence, tapes made of the same material can be used forthe hem parts 14R, 14L, and 16.

As illustrated by dotted lines, a pair of right and left cup portions 2Rand 2L are disposed on the inside of the front body portion 11. Theright (left) cup portion 2R (2L) is formed from nonwoven, polyurethane,or the like into a shape which fits the bust. The right (left) cupportion 2R (2L) is often formed by sticking a plurality of kinds ofcloth materials together.

The end part of the right cup portion 2R on the front center side andthe end part of the left cup portion 2L on the front center side areconnected to each other by a tape-like front center connecting portion3. The front center connecting portion 3 is constituted, for example, bya tape material which does not stretch or contract (e.g., a woven tapeincluding no elastic threads, or a cotton tape), a tape material whichhas a small amount of elastic threads and is adapted to stretch less, aknitted or woven article of amorphous resin fibers, or a tape material,having contraction and expansion properties, impregnated with a resin.

Sewn to the side end part of the right (left) cup portion 2R (2L) is oneend part of a right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L) having a widthgreater than that of the front center connecting portion 3. The otherend part of the right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L) is sewn to theclothing portion 1 by the joint line in the back section 12 as shown inFIG. 3B.

As a material for the right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L) having apredetermined width, warp knitted fabrics such as power net, tricot, andtriconet can be used, for example. Also, one having a smaller width suchas a flat tape can be used. The “predetermined width” of the right(left) side cloth portion 4R (4L) may be about 8 cm, for example, and is3 to 9 cm in a standard size. The right (left) side cloth portion 4R(4L) is formed from a material having contraction and expansionproperties in view of its movement traceability and size adaptability.It preferably includes elastic threads, and a gradation hem power net ispreferable, for example. This is a kind of power net in which both endparts use a hem requiring no sewing. Differences in strength of thepower can partly be provided when the number and thickness of elasticthreads incorporated in the power net are changed or when the knittingpattern is altered. In this embodiment, the power is strengthened atboth upper and lower end parts and is weakened therebetween (in theintermediate part) in the worn state. Alternatively, the power may bestrengthened in the intermediate portion and is made weaker in bothupper and lower end parts than in the intermediate part. Though thepower net is explained in the foregoing, the same holds for tricot andtriconet.

Sewn to the upper end part of the right (left) cup portion 2R (2L) isone end part of the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L). Sewn tothe neck hole hem part 16 in the front body portion 11 is the other endpart of the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L). The cup suspendingcord is an example of the cup suspending tape member.

As for the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L), a braided elasticadapted to contract and stretch is preferable, whereas knit elastics,woven elastics, and various kinds of stretch tapes can also be used.Though a material adapted to contract and stretch is preferable in viewof movement traceability, no contraction and expansion properties arenecessary when the upper end of the right (left) cup portion 2R (2L) andthe neck hole hem part 16 are located close to each other. The degree ofcontraction and expansion properties can freely be set by changing thekind, thickness, number, knitting pattern, or weaving pattern of elasticthreads included in the tape material. For example, different kinds oftapes may be connected together in the longitudinal direction or theknitting pattern may be altered in the middle of a single tape, so as toprovide differences in strength of the power. This can lower theexpansion of the part sewn to the right (left) cup portion 2R (2L), andenhance the expansion of the part extending from the right (left) cupportion 2R (2L) to the neck hole hem part 16. Similar effects can bealso be obtained when the same kind of tapes having differentthicknesses and widths are used in place of different kinds of tapes.

When the wearer raises the right arm in the case where the right (left)cup suspending cord 5R (5L) has high contraction and expansionproperties, the left cup suspending cord 5L disposed so as to extendsubstantially along the direction in which the right arm is raised pullsup the left cup portion 2L while expanding. When the wearer raises theleft arm, the right cup suspending cord 5R disposed so as to extendsubstantially along the direction in which the left arm is raised pullsup the right cup portion 2R while expanding. As a consequence, even uponvigorous arm movements, the holding of bust becomes stable, and the bustshaping (bust uplifting) function can be exhibited.

On the other hand, an end part of the right (left) side cloth portion 4R(4L) adapted to contract and stretch is sewn to the clothing portion 1.Therefore, when the left arm is raised, the right cup suspending cord 5Rand the right side cloth portion 4R pull each other with the right cupportion 2R disposed therebetween while expanding. When the right arm israised, the left cup suspending cord 5L and the left side cloth portion4L pull each other with the left cup portion 2L disposed therebetweenwhile expanding. As a result, parts on the underside become stable evenat the time of exercising, whereby the stability of bust furtherimproves.

As for other types of the first embodiment, differences from the firsttype will now be explained. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a swimsuitin a worn state, showing a second type of the first embodiment. Here,the other end part of the right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L) issewn to a joint part between the front body portion 11 and the backsection 12.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a third type of the firstembodiment. In the third type, the right cup portion 2R and the left cupportion 2L are integrated together at the front center part.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a fourth type of the firstembodiment. In the fourth type, each of the right cup portion 2R and theleft cup portion 2L has a triangular form.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a fifth type of the firstembodiment. The fifth type differs from the fourth type shown in FIG. 6in that the right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L) is shaped like athin cord.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a sixth type of the firstembodiment. In the sixth type, the front center connecting part 3includes a hook which is an example of connecting means. This makes itpossible for the right cup portion 2R and the left cup portion 2L toconnect with each other and separate from each other at the frontcenter. As the hook, known hooks made of plastics and metals can beused. According to this configuration, the bust can easily fit into theright (left) cup portion 2R (2L).

FIG. 9 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a seventh type of thefirst embodiment. Though the seventh type is a so-called separate type,the configuration of its bust portion is similar to that in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing an eighth type of thefirst embodiment. In the eighth type, the front center side of the right(left) cup portion 2R (2L) is sewn to the front body portion 11. Thefront body portion 11 is divided into left and right portions at thefront center thereof from the neck hole hem part 16 to the lower part ofthe front center. The divided part is configured so as to be freelyopened and closed by a fastener constituted by fastener teeth 71 and aslider 72. According to the eighth type, it becomes easier to wear theswimsuit with cups itself, and the bust can easily fit into the right(left) cup portion 2R (2L).

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the front face of a swimsuit, showing a ninthtype of the first embodiment. Since it is the rear view of the frontface of the swimsuit, the left and right in the drawings coincide withthose of the wearer, respectively. In the ninth type, a part of theright (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) is a part of the constituentsof the right (left) cup portion 2R (2L). This will be explained indetail in the following.

In a right (left) cup member 21R constituting the main body of the right(left) cup portion 2R (2L), the rim part of its side portion from theupper end part to the lower end part has a smoothly bending arc form.The upper part of the right (left) cup portion 21R (21L) on the frontcenter side has a substantially linear form. A tape material 221R (221L)attached so as to extend along the arc-like rim part is smoothly drawnfrom the upper end part of the right (left) cup member 21R (21L) towardthe vicinity of the neck point of the wearer in the worn state, whereasits front end part is sewn to the neck hole hem part 16 of the frontbody portion 11 of the clothing portion 1. As a consequence, in the tapematerial 221R (221L) attached so as to extend along the arc-shaped rimpart, the part smoothly drawn from the upper end part of the right(left) cup member 21R (21L) toward the vicinity of the neck pointfunctions as the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) adapted tocontract and stretch.

While the upper part of the right (left) cup member 21R (21L) on thefront center side has a substantially linear form, another tape material222R (222L) is sewn to this rim part. The right and left cup portions 2Rand 2L are connected to each other at the front center with the frontcenter connecting portion 3 made of a tape cloth material having nocontraction and expansion properties (or low contraction and expansionproperties). Sewn to the side part of the right (left) cup portion 2R(2L) is one end part of the right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L). Theother end part of the right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L) is sewn tothe front body portion 11. The right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L)is made of a wide cloth material adapted to contract and stretch.

Thus, according to the ninth type shown in FIG. 11, the tape materials221R and 221L are smoothly drawn in their intersecting direction withoutbeing bent at the upper end part of the right (left) cup member 21R(21L), whereby the stability in the movement of the right (left) cupportion 2R (2L) is further enhanced.

Second Embodiment

Concerning the swimsuit with cups in accordance with the secondembodiment, differences from the first embodiment will now be explained.In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the other end part of theright (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) is positioned on the frontcenter line 8. In other words, the other end parts of the right and leftcup suspending cords 5R and 5L are attached to the front body portion 11at the same position. In still other words, at the position where theright and left cup suspending cords 5R and 5L intersect each other,their end parts are attached to the neck hole hem part 16.

The second embodiment includes various types as shown in FIGS. 12, 13A,and 14A. FIG. 12 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a first type ofthe second embodiment. FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a swimsuit in aworn state, showing a second type of the second embodiment. FIG. 13B isa rear view of the swimsuit, showing the second type of the secondembodiment. FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a swimsuit in a wornstate, showing a third type of the second embodiment. FIG. 14B is a rearview of the swimsuit, showing the third type of the second embodiment.The third type differs from the second type in terms of the attachingposition of the right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L). In the first tothird types of the second embodiment, materials for the right (left) cupportion 2R (2L) and the like are similar to those in the firstembodiment.

Third Embodiment

Concerning the swimsuit with cups in accordance with the thirdembodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be explained. Inthe third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1C, the other end part of theright (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) is positioned on the left(right) side of the front center line 8. In other words, at a positionhigher than the position where the right and left cup suspending cords5R and 5L intersect each other, their end parts are attached to the neckhole hem part 16.

The third embodiment includes various types as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.FIG. 15 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a first type of the thirdembodiment. FIG. 16 is a front view of a swimsuit, showing a second typeof the third embodiment. The second type shown in FIG. 16 is configuredso as to be freely opened and closed by fastener means constituted byfastener teeth 71 and a slider 72 as in the first embodiment shown inFIG. 10. The end part of the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) issewn to a fastener tape 73 to which the fastener teeth 71 are attached.In the second type shown in FIG. 16, the right cup suspending cord 5Rand the left cup suspending cord 5L extend in the upper left and upperright directions, respectively, and are equivalent to those in a casewhere they intersect each other at a position in front of the neck holehem part 16 and then are attached to the front body portion 11 (thefastener tape 73 sewn to the front body portion 11). In the first andsecond types of the third embodiment, materials for the right (left) cupportion 2R (2L) and the like are similar to those in the firstembodiment.

MODIFIED EXAMPLES

Modified examples of the first to third embodiments will now beexplained. For example, in the first to third embodiments, the upper endpart (the other end part) of the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R(5L) is sewn to the neck hole hem part 16 of the front body portion 11.However, an adjuster (an example of connecting means) such as one inJapanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. SHO 60-67313 may beprovided such that the upper end part of the right (left) cup suspendingcord 5R (5L) can be attached to and removed from the front body portion11. Alternatively, the lower end part (one end part) of the right (left)cup suspending cord 5R (5L) may be made attachable to and removable fromthe upper edge part of the right (left) cup portion 2R (2L).

Such modified examples will be explained with reference to FIGS. 17A,17B, and 18 to 21. First, constituents common among FIGS. 17A, 17B, and18 to 21 will be explained. The right (left) cup portion 2R (2L) has alower tape member 23 at the lower edge part thereof, and an upper tapemember 24R (24L) at the upper edge part thereof. Both side ends of thelower tape member 23 are attached to the front body portion 11 in theright (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L) The upper end part of the uppertape material 24R (24L) is attached to the neck hole hem part 16 by theright (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L).

Differences among the modified examples will now be explained. In FIG.17A, the upper end part (the other end part) of the right (left) cupsuspending cord 5R (5L) is sewn to the neck hole hem part 16. Attachedto the lower end part (one end part) of the right (left) cup suspendingcord 5R (5L) is a hook 51R (51L) shown in FIG. 17B. The hook 51R (51L)makes it possible for the right (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L) to beattached to and removed from the right (left) cup portion 2R (2L).

In FIG. 18, the hook 51R (51L) is attached to the upper end part of theright (left) cup suspending cord 5R (5L). Therefore, the right (left)cup suspending cord 5R (5L) is attachable to and removable from the neckhole hem part 16. The lower end part of the right (left) cup suspendingcord 5R (5L) is sewn to the right (left) cup portion 2R (2L).

In FIG. 19, the lower tape member 23 extends further sidewise from theside end part of the right (left) cup portion 2R (2L), therebyconstituting the right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L). Hooks 41R, 41Lare attached to both front end parts of the lower tape member 23. Thehooks 41R, 41L make it possible for the right (left) side cloth portion4R (4L) to be attached to and removed from the side part of the frontbody portion 11.

In FIG. 20, the lower tape member 23 is cut at the side end part of theright (left) cup portion 2R (2L). The part extending sidewise from thuscut position constitutes the right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L).The right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L) is sewn to the side part ofthe front body portion 11. A hook 41R (41L) is attached to the front endpart (one end part) of the right (left) side cloth portion 4R (4L). Thehook 41R (41L) makes it possible for the right (left) side cloth portion4R (4L) to be attached to and removed from the side end part of theright (left) cup portion 2R (2L).

FIG. 21 is a modified example in which the characteristic features ofFIGS. 18 and 19 are combined together. The hook 41R (41L) in the sidepart and the hook 51R (51L) on the neck hole side make it possible forthe right (left) cup portion 2R (2L) to be attached to and removed fromthe clothing portion.

The hooks are only an example of connecting means, and the specificstructure of connecting means is not limited to the hook as a matter ofcourse. The present invention is applicable not only to swimsuits, butalso widely to sport clothing products with cups in general, such asleotards and sport underwear.

PREFERRED MODES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Preferred modes of the present invention will be summarized in thefollowing.

Preferably, the point at which respective extensions of first and secondsuspending members intersect is located in the vicinity of the frontneck point of the wearer in a worn state. Here, the front neck point isthe concept indicated by “Body Words for Clothing” defined in “JIS L0111” (1983). The meaning of “vicinity” subtly varies depending on thebuild of the wearer, the design of the sport clothing product with cups,and the like. In the case of a standard build, it refers to an areawhich is centered at the front neck point and substantially ranges fromthe midpoint (the lower limit of the area) between the left and rightshoulder points to the glabella (the upper limit of the area).

The sport clothing product with cups in accordance with the presentinvention may comprise a first side cloth portion having a pair of endparts and a second side cloth portion having a pair of end parts;wherein one end part of the first side cloth portion is attached to thefirst cup portion; wherein the other end part of the second side clothportion is attached to the second cup portion; and wherein the other endpart of the second side cloth portion is attached to the clothingportion. As a consequence, the right cup suspending cord and the rightside cloth portion pull each other with the left cup portion disposedtherebetween when the left arm is raised, whereas the left cupsuspending cord and the left side cloth portion pull each other with theright cup portion disposed therebetween when the right arm is raised,whereby the underside becomes stable even at the time of exercising, andthe stability of bust further improves. Similar effects are exhibitedalso when one end part of the side cloth portion is made attachable toand removable from the cup portion by connecting means. Similar effectsare exhibited also when the other end part of the side cloth portion ismade attachable to and removable from the cup portion by connectingmeans.

The sport clothing product with cups in accordance with the presentinvention may comprise a front center connecting portion for connectingfirst and second cup portions at the front center, whereas the frontcenter connecting means may include connecting means, and the first andsecond cup portions may be made connectable and separable at the frontcenter by the connecting means of the front center connecting portion.As a consequence, upon wearing the sport clothing product with cups, thebust can easily fit into the cup portions.

The sport clothing product with cups in accordance with the presentinvention may be configured such that the front center side of the firstcup portion and the front center side of the second cup portion areattached to the clothing portion, whereas the clothing portion may bedivided into one side and the other side at the front center thereof soas to be freely opened and closed by fastener means. As a consequence,it becomes easier to wear the sport clothing product with cups itself,and the bust can easily fit into the cup portions.

The sport clothing product with cups in accordance with the presentinvention may be configured such that the other end part of the firstcup suspending member is made attachable to and removable from the frontbody portion of the clothing portion by connecting means, and the otherend part of the second cup suspending member is made attachable to andremovable from the front body portion of the clothing portion byconnecting means. As a consequence, upon wearing the sport clothingproduct with cups, the bust can easily fit into the cup portions.Similar effects are exhibited also when one (the other) end part of thefirst (second) cup suspending member is made attachable to andretractable from the first (second) cup portion by connecting means.

The sport clothing product with cups in accordance with the presentinvention may be configured such that the first cup suspending member isa tape member, adapted to contract and stretch, having one end partattached to the upper edge part of the first cup portion and the otherend part attached to the neck hole hem part of the front body portion ofthe clothing portion. As a consequence, the cup suspending tape memberexpands when the arm is raised greatly, whereby the movement of the cupportion is further alleviated.

The sport clothing product with cups in accordance with the presentinvention may be configured such that, in each of a first cup memberconstituting the main body of the first cup portion and a second cupportion constituting the main body of the second cup portion, a rim partof a side portion thereof from an upper end part to a lower end part hasa smoothly bending arc form, whereas a tape member attached so as toextend along the arc-shaped rim part is smoothly drawn from the upperend part of the cup member toward the vicinity of the neck point of thewearer in a worn state, so that a front end part thereof is attached tothe front body portion of the clothing portion (more preferably to theneck hole hem part by sewing or the like).

As a consequence, the tape member attached so as to extend along thearc-shaped rim part is smoothly drawn from the upper end part of thefirst (second) cup member toward the vicinity of the neck point, so asto function as the first (second) cup suspending member. Since it isdrawn smoothly (i.e., without bending at the upper end part of the cupmember), the stability in the movement of the first (second) cup portionis further enhanced.

Examples of the above-mentioned connecting means include sewing, buttons(for which the cup suspending member may have a ring-shaped front endwhich engages a button), hook-shaped engaging devices made of metals andresins, and hooks (male and female engaging buttons).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the sport clothing product with cups in accordance with thepresent invention, as explained in detail in the foregoing, themovements of cup portions caused by vigorous arm movements accompanyingexercises are greatly alleviated, and the action of the cup suspendingcord at the time when the arms are raised acts so as to lift the cupportions in so-called “centering” directions, whereby a special shapingfunction of beautifully centering and uplifting the bust at the time ofexercising can be exhibited.

1. A sport clothing product with cups comprising: a body portion havinga first defining portion for defining a first armhole, a second definingportion for defining a second armhole, and a neck hole defining portionfor defining a neck hole; a first cup portion and a second cup portiondisposed in a front body portion of said body portion; a first cupsuspending member having a pair of end parts, wherein one of the endparts of the first cup suspending member is attached to the first cupportion, and the other of the end parts to the first cup suspendingmember is attached to the front body portion of the body portion; and asecond cup suspending member having a pair of end parts, wherein one ofthe end parts of the second cup suspending member is attached to thesecond cup portion, and the other of the end parts to the second cupsuspending member is attached to the front body portion of the bodyportion; wherein the other end of the first cup suspending member isdisposed approximate to the neck hole defining portion toward the seconddefining portion, and the other end of the second cup suspending memberis disposed approximate to the neck hole defining portion toward thefirst defining portion.
 2. A sport clothing product with cups accordingto claim 1, wherein said neck hole defining portion includes a neck holehem part; and wherein the other end part of said first cup suspendingmember and the other end part of said second cup suspending member areattached to said neck hole hem part, in a front body portion.
 3. A sportclothing product with cups according to claim 1, wherein the other endpart of said first cup suspending member and the other end part of saidsecond cup suspending member are attached to a front body portion at thesame position.
 4. A sport clothing product with cups according to claim1, wherein said first cup suspending member and said second cupsuspending member intersect each other near said front body portion. 5.A sport clothing product with cups comprising: a clothing portion havinga front body portion adapted to come into close contact with a humanbody; first and second cup portions disposed on said human body side ofsaid front body portion; a first cup suspending member having a pair ofend parts, wherein one end part of said first cup suspending member isattached to said first cup portion, and the other end part of said firstcup suspending member is attached to the front body portion of theclothing portion; and a second cup suspending member having a pair ofend parts, wherein one end part of said second cup suspending member isattached to said second cup portion, and the other end part of saidsecond cup suspending member is attached to the front body portion ofthe clothing portion and; wherein said first cup suspending member andsaid second cup suspending member intersect each other or respectiveextensions of said first and second cup suspending members intersecteach other.
 6. A sport clothing product with cups according to claim 5,wherein a position where said respective extensions of said first andsecond cup suspending members intersect each other is in the vicinity ofa front neck point of a wearer in a worn state.
 7. A sport clothingproduct with cups according to claim 5, further comprising: a first sidecloth portion having a pair of end parts wherein one end part of saidfirst side cloth portion is attached to said first cup portion, and theother end part of said first side cloth portion is attached to saidclothing portion; and a second side cloth portion having a pair of endparts, wherein one end part of said second side cloth portion isattached to said second cup portion; and the other end part of saidsecond side cloth portion is attached to said clothing portion.
 8. Asport clothing product with cups according to claim 5, furthercomprising a front center connecting portion for connecting said firstand second cup portions at a front center thereof; wherein said frontcenter connecting portion includes connecting means; and wherein saidfirst and second cup portions are made connectable and separable at thefront center by said connecting means of said front center connectingportion.
 9. A sport clothing product with cups according to claim 5,wherein the other end part of said first cup suspending member is madeattachable to and removable from said front body portion of saidclothing portion by connecting means; and wherein the other end part ofsaid second cup suspending member is made attachable to and removablefrom said front body portion of said clothing portion by anotherconnecting means.
 10. A sport clothing product with cups according toclaim 5, wherein one end of said first cup suspending member is madeattachable to and removable from said first cup portion by connectingmeans; and wherein one end of said second cup suspending member is madeattachable to and removable from said second cup portion by connectingmeans.
 11. A sport clothing product with cups according to claim 5,wherein said first cup suspending member is a tape member, adapted tocontract and stretch, having one end part attached to an upper edge partof said first cup portion and the other end part attached to a neck holehem part of said front body portion of said clothing portion; andwherein said second cup suspending member is a tape member, adapted tocontract and stretch, having one end part attached to an upper edge partof said second cup portion and the other end part attached to said neckhole hem part of said front body portion of said clothing portion.
 12. Asport clothing product with cups according to claim 8, wherein, in eachof a first cup member constituting a main body of said first cup portionand a second cup portion constituting a main body of said second cupportion, a rim part of a side portion thereof from an upper end part toa lower end part has a smoothly bending arc form; and wherein a tapemember attached so as to extend along said arc-shaped rim part issmoothly drawn from an upper end part of said cup member toward thevicinity of a neck point of a wearer in a worn state such that a frontend part thereof is attached to said front body portion of said clothingportion.
 13. A sport clothing product with cups according to claim 8,wherein, in each of a first cup member constituting a main body of saidfirst cup portion and a second cup portion constituting a main body ofsaid second cup portion, a rim part of a side portion thereof from anupper end part to a lower end part has a smoothly bending arc form; andwherein a tape member attached so as to extend along said arc-shaped rimpart is smoothly drawn from an upper end part of said cup member towardthe vicinity of a neck point of a wearer in a worn state such that afront end part thereof is attached to said front body portion of saidclothing portion, wherein said tape member for said first cup portion isdrawn from said upper end part of said first cup member such that afront end part thereof is attached to a neck hole hem part of said frontbody portion of said clothing portion; and wherein said tape member forsaid second cup portion is drawn from said upper end part of said secondcup member such that a front end part thereof is attached to said neckhole hem part of said front body portion of said clothing portion.
 14. Asport clothing product with cups according to claim 10, comprising afront center connecting portion for connecting said first and second cupportions at a front center; wherein each of said first and second sidecloth portions includes a material having a width greater than that ofsaid front center connecting portion and contraction and expansionproperties.
 15. A sport clothing product with cups according to claim10, wherein each of said first and second side cloth portions has awidth of 3 to 9 cm.
 16. A sport clothing product with cups according toclaim 10, wherein said first and second side cloth portions include atleast one of power net, tricot, and triconet which includes an elasticthread and is partly provided with a difference in, strength of power bychanging the number or thickness of said elastic thread or altering aknitting pattern thereof.
 17. A sport clothing product with cupsaccording to claim 10, wherein each of said first and second side clothportions includes an intermediate part and upper and lower end partsrespectively disposed on upper and lower sides thereof; and includes atleast one of power net, tricot, and triconet in which said upper andlower end parts have a power higher than that of said intermediate part.